Comparison of Python and Java in 2024: Which One Leads the Numero Uno Race

Python and Java – The two leaders in the globe of programming languages – have been trending high until the completion of 2019. While both managed to secure their positions, the competition has shifted to the subsequent year.

Now that the year 2020 has already begun, the comparison between the two has reached a new high. A feature-wise comparison of both will help you figure out which one leads the race from the other.

While both are comparable to one another in terms of popularity and usefulness, you may want to find out which one is the better between the two.

Read on to find out more about which one out of the two options wins the battle in the Java vs Python head-to-head comparison.

What is Java?

Java is a programming language which comes handy for general purposes. It came into being in 1995 – thanks to James Gosling who was behind its development. Java emerged due to the growing demand for a programming language for multiple platforms.

As a concurrent language, it is static and object-oriented by nature. Once written, it can be used for multiple tasks. One of the primary advantages of using Java is that it works with minimum manual labor. Generally, technical companies operate it by virtue of a java virtual machine. Oracle Corporation, the company which owns and manages Java, released the latest version of the programming language on September 17, 2019.

What is Python?

Python is one of the popular programming languages for general purposes. It came into being in 1991 and was developed by Guido van Rossum. The development of Python has links to the growing need for a high-level language. Many modern-day programmers believe it is the answer to the need for a language that helps in sorting out the differences between C and shell.

Also read – How Python suddenly became a Superhero of the IT Industry

As a programming language, it is easy to read and understand than its other alternatives. Due to this reason, it is suitable even for those programmers who do not have an in-depth knowledge of programming. Its syntax bears a resemblance to other programming languages such as ABC, Pascal, and Algol68. The latest release of Python came in the month of October in 2019 with the release of version 2.7.17. It was released on October 19, 2019 by Python Software Foundation.

Python and Java Compared: Which One is better of the best?

Though Python and Java are the leading choices among programmers when it comes to the selection of programming language, they differ from one another in many ways.

These two leading options for app developers and programmers are going to compete with one another in 2020 with the same set of features. For the sake of better understanding, a list of some key differences between both is given below.

Java vs Python: Feature-wise Comparison

Before proceeding with the idea of Python and Java comparison, it is essential to understand that both these programming languages work in distinct ways. While Java works on any machine that is in line with Java virtual language, Python works only on devices with compatible operating systems.

Still, here is a list of some parameters that provide for the suitable benchmark to compare both these programming languages in 2020.

Speed

Being a compiled language, Java does not take a long time for the execution of codes. Thus, app developers who need to develop an application within a short notice find it easy to use Java for this purpose.

On the other hand, Python is much slower than Java as it is an interpreted language. One of the key requisites of operating Python on a device is that its operating system should be able to interpret its codes. Unlike Java, it needs a compiler for the interpretation of its codes. Though there has been a massive transformation in the speed of Python with the recent release, it is still long away from beating Java in this regard in 2020.

Flexibility

If there is one aspect in which Python leads the race in the Python and Java comparison, it is flexibility. Users in the past used to come across issues in resolving various errors while using Java. It is, in many ways, still the same. Despite the improvements in the last few releases, more needs to be done to promote the aspect of flexibility of Java in 2020.

In contrast, the launch of the last few releases of Python have made it a flexible programming language for fixing the same issues in different ways. Facts indicate that It is likely to remain the same in the current year as well as the next few years down the line.

Popularity

In terms of popularity, Java and Python are comparable to one another in 2020. However, the release of more versions has brought about a surge in the popularity of the latter, especially in countries with advanced technology.

Management

Management is one of the most important parameters to determine the usefulness of a programming language. With Python and Java compared on this front, it is simple and easy to understand why Java is the preferred option for the development of applications. It is much easier to run Java on literally any device as the majority of them are in line with Java Virtual Machine. Python lags behind in this respect even in 2020.

Ease of use

Ever since the inception of programming, both programmers and developers have been looking for options that would make their job simple and easy. Even at present, no one appreciates working with a programming language which is difficult to understand.

Despite showcasing advancements, Python is still a developer’s delight due to its easy-to-understand feature. As a result, beginners find it simple and less complicated to learn and use Python codes. On the other hand, Java takes more time for learning.

Final Thoughts

Python and Java have been the stalwarts in the domain of programming language until 2019. The trend continues unabated in the current year. With their own share of positives, both are useful to developers in distinct ways. The onus is on developers to take the final call on which one leads the race from the other in the numero uno race based on features. One can expect further improvement in the features of both in the subsequent releases in the future.